The next day, a Five Kage Summit initiated by Konoha convened in the Land of Iron. The discussion: the future path of ninjas.
After the Five Kage took their seats, Hokage Kakashi cut straight to the point.
"Everyone heard Naruto's wartime speech crystal clear. The extraterrestrial enemies called Otsutsuki possess overwhelming power. Our current ninja system is no longer suitable for future warfare, so I've called you all here to discuss reform."
Raikage A said: "Sounds like you completely believe Uzumaki Naruto's story..."
Tsuchikage Onoki said: "Time travel and all that—sounds like a fairy tale."
Mizukage Mei said: "But we can't deny that our recent enemies' strength far exceeded what ninjas can handle."
Kazekage Gaara said: "Naruto went to great lengths to make us realize how serious this is. I believe what he said. If you don't, that's your problem. Hokage, please continue. Let those who still don't get it fend for themselves."
A: "Brat, you looking for a fight..."
Onoki: "Hmph."
Mei: "Hokage-sama, please continue the discussion assuming Uzumaki Naruto's intelligence is accurate."
Kakashi said: "Since the Warring States period ended and the one-nation-one-village system formed, villages have received construction funds from their countries and served as tools executing paid commissioned missions. In other words, ninjas spend most of their time and energy handling complex tasks. While ninjas do hone practical skills and grow through missions, obviously... that growth is unstable and limited."
"For ninjas to fulfill their mission in future ninja world crises, they must undergo targeted, specialized training!"
"Therefore, reform is urgent!"
"..." The other Kage fell silent, apparently acknowledging that executing missions limits ninja growth.
The Raikage said: "But when you talk about reform, you need a concrete plan, right? Are we just refusing commissioned missions? What will ninjas live on!"
At this point, Shikaku, who had accompanied Kakashi, spoke up: "There are essentially two options. What the Raikage mentioned falls under the first option, though it's somewhat misguided."
"The correct approach is negotiating with the daimyo to secure policy support—legally ceasing commissioned missions while increasing financial aid. This would be another form of the one-nation-one-village system..."
The Raikage laughed: "Haha, so ninjas don't work but countries still pay to support us? That kind of good deal only exists in dreams!"
The Tsuchikage said: "Even this old man thinks that's excessive. Those daimyo would never agree—it'd be a miracle if they did..."
Shikaku said: "This plan's prerequisite is that the daimyo and citizens firmly believe in the coming crisis. As you both said, that's nearly impossible, but we must try..."
The Mizukage asked: "What if we really can't secure it?"
Shikaku said: "Then there's a second path—villages breaking free from their nations' constraints and seeking new development locations..."
Whoosh!
This statement shocked everyone!
Bang! The Raikage slammed the table and shot to his feet: "Hey, Shikaku! You're supposedly Konoha's brain, but you're encouraging everyone to betray their trust!"
Shikaku said: "I mean in cases where negotiations fail and we have no choice!"
The Raikage exploded: "Sophistry! We won't follow Konoha to eternal damnation!"
The Tsuchikage remained more rational: "Shikaku, have you considered where ninja funding would come from after leaving our nations? To maintain combat ability, ninjas' living costs are already higher than ordinary people's. When you say seeking development locations, do you want us to become bandits..."
Shikaku said: "Reform is the major prerequisite for dealing with the situation. Choosing between these two options is the necessary path for reform. Yes, we all know the second path leads to desperate straits, so we must work hard to achieve the difficult first path. If we truly reach desperate straits, we can only trust that solutions will appear. Yes... we have no choice!"
The Mizukage looked troubled: "One wrong move in this matter and we become eternal sinners..."
Gaara's resolve was unwavering: "If our hesitation leads to the world being destroyed by extraterrestrial enemies, that would make us true eternal sinners. After this meeting ends, I'm going to Amegakure to discuss with Naruto. If negotiations with the daimyo fail, I'm prepared to take my entire village and join Naruto..."
The Raikage scoffed: "Hmph, Amegakure is just a tiny place in a small country, and Uzumaki Naruto is just a brat who can't even bear the title of Kage. Joining him, Kazekage—shows how limited your capacity really is..."
Gaara's eyes turned cold: "I can't pretend I didn't hear that. Raikage, you can insult me, but not Naruto. He's the person who saved me and bears this world's fate. He's infinitely stronger than a hothead like you."
The Raikage erupted: "What did you say! Believe it or not, I'll tear you apart right now!!!"
At this point, Mifune, the samurai leader serving as mediator, quickly intervened: "Raikage-sama, please calm down! Kazekage-sama, as fellow Kage, your words were indeed excessive. Please apologize to the Raikage..."
Gaara said: "Just now, my words were too harsh. I apologize to the Raikage. But as Kage, we bear not only our villages' fates but the ninja world's future safety. I hope everyone, including the Raikage, considers carefully—Uzumaki Naruto holds the core lifeline of the future and ninjas. For ninjas to go further, we need his coordination. That's all. I'm preparing to go to Amegakure to discuss with Naruto. Farewell!"
With that, Gaara departed with Kankuro and Temari.
Soon after, Mizukage Mei also rose: "Seems this meeting wasn't as smooth as expected. Everyone, I'll take my leave as well."
Three Kage remained.
The Tsuchikage looked at the Raikage: "Raikage, Kumogakure's been having troubles lately too..."
The Raikage frowned: "What are you getting at?"
The Tsuchikage said: "After the Land of Lightning's daimyo died, the struggle for the new daimyo position has thrown the entire country into chaos. Eight different factions are competing for power, all wanting Kumogakure's support. You're caught in the middle, stuck between a rock and a hard place. The village has fallen into paralysis, hasn't it..."
"Hehe, with the Land of Lightning leaderless, you have no one to negotiate with about reform. Only one path lies before you—joining Amegakure, isn't that right..."
The Raikage roared: "Are you kidding me! I'd rather end my own life than have anything to do with Amegakure!!!"
Thus, the Five Kage Summit ended in discord.
...
However, the next evening outside Amegakure, enemies had gathered!
Gaara, Kakashi, Mei, and Onoki looked back at the arriving Kumogakure group with various expressions.
The Raikage was stunned: "You, you all..."
Gaara turned around: "Ah... you came too. The Hokage and I have been here half a day. The Mizukage and Tsuchikage just arrived..."
The Tsuchikage teased: "Raikage, didn't you say you weren't coming?"
The Raikage's face flushed red: "You, you all... Omoi and Samui are still being held by Amegakure. I came specifically to get them back!!"
"This... honorable Kage?"
Another group approached from behind.
Kakashi asked: "Mifune-sama, why are you here too?"
"Ahem!" Mifune paused, coughed twice, then said solemnly: "We received reports from border patrol samurai that none of you Kage returned by your original routes. Worried about your safety on the road, we followed you here..."
Shikaku shook his head with a helpless internal smile: "These adults, really..."
Creak!
Amegakure's tightly shut gates opened...
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